Chevrolet Camaro – pony car history over 50 years

Yesterday saw the launch of the all-new, sixth-generation 2016 Chevrolet Camaro which, incidentally, falls just over a year shy of the pony car’s 50th anniversary. To celebrate the occasion, Chevrolet has re-released a whole bunch of press photos depicting the Camaro as it grew into the retro-futuristic sharp suit we all recognise today.

The Camaro was unveiled in September 1966 as a last-minute response to the successful Ford Mustang. Available as either a coupe or a convertible (just like the Mustang, except the latter also received a fastback), the iconic first-gen model featured a variety of straight-six and V8 engine choices throughout its short three-year life, including a 290 hp 4.9 litre small-block V8 in the Z/28 and a 375 hp 6.5 litre big-block V8 in the SS.

With the ’70s came the arrival of the more distinctive second gen, billed as a more serious performance car than what came before – there’s no convertible this time around, for example. Initial engine choices included a 360 hp 5.7 litre LT-1 V8 in the Z/28, but the Suez fuel crisis and tightening emissions regulations forced maximum output ratings downwards as the decade progressed, petering out at a paltry 155 hp in 1975.

Despite this, the elimination of competitors such as the Mustang (downsized and sitting on the same platform as the infamous Pinto) and the Dodge Challenger (discontinued altogether) meant that the Camaro – and its stablemate the Pontiac Firebird – dominated the pony car market, and sales of the Chevy soared to a record 282,571 units in 1979. It was a long production run for this car – sales only seized in 1981.

Following in its footsteps, the boxy ’80s-tastic third gen added an optional T-top roof to the coupé and reintroduced the convertible body style for the first time since 1969. It featured modern technology such as multi-point fuel injection and a driver’s airbag; the former helped push power outputs up from the lows in the ’70s, culminating in 245 hp from a 5.7 litre L98 V8.

This generation also saw the introduction of the legendary IROC-Z, which, apart from the performance boost from the “Tuned Port Injection,” also featured a retuned suspension for better handling.

In 1993, the more rounded fourth gen came into being, with more creature comforts and power than before – outputs surged past the 300 hp mark for the first time since 1970, hitting a peak of 325 hp on the SS model’s 5.7 litre LS1 V8. Sadly, slow sales, a shrinking market and strong competition from the Mustang led Chevrolet to end production in 2002, with no successor in sight. The Camaro nameplate, it seemed, was dead.

That was, until Chevrolet revealed a new retro-styled concept at the 2006 Detroit Auto Show; and after a starring role in the first Transformers movie, the fifth generation went into production in 2009 to take the fight anew to the Mustang. The most powerful Camaro in history, it received a 580 hp 6.2 litre supercharged LSA V8 in the ZL1 in 2012, while the Z/28 nameplate returned as a track-biased variant with a 7.0 litre naturally-aspirated LS7 V8 pushing out 505 hp.

The latest in the line, the new 2016 Chevrolet Camaro is lighter and stiffer than before, and comes with either a 310 hp 2.0 litre turbo four-pot, a 335 hp 3.6 litre V6 or the Corvette Stingray‘s 455 hp 6.2 litre LT1 (no relation to the second-gen’s LT-1) V8 in the SS. It’s said to be the best Camaro ever; looks like the nameplate is riding into its 50th birthday healthier than ever, isn’t it?

Chevrolet and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway announced that a special Chevrolet Camaro Convertible has been selected as the Official Pace Car of the 2011 Indianapolis 500.

For 2013, Camaro is available with the 1LE performance package, inspired by road racing. Offered on SS coupes with manual transmissions, the 1LE package features unique gearing, suspension tuning, and tires, the Camaro 1LE is capable of more than 1 g of lateral acceleration, and lapping the Virginia International Raceway’s Grand Course in under three minutes.

2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1. (2/9/2011)

With supercar levels of power, technology, and refinement, the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 coupe delivers exceptional, all-around performance at the drag strip, the road course and as a daily driver.

The 2014 Camaro is available with a track-focused 1LE Performance Package.

The 2014 Camaro SS convertible features a 6.2L V8 engine, offering up to 426 horsepower.

The 2014 Camaro is available with a track-focused 1LE Performance Package.

The 2014 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 is the most track capable, factory built Camaro ever produced.

2016 sixth-gen Chevrolet Camaro

Camaro enthusiasts get a closer look at the 2016 Chevrolet Camaro after its world debut Saturday, May 16, 2015 on Belle Isle in Detroit, Michigan. The sixth-generation Camaro is faster, lighter and more nimble. Engine options include a 2.0L Turbo, an all-new 3.6L V-6 and the LT1 6.2L V-8, which is SAE-certified at 455 horsepower and 455 lb-ft of torque – for the most powerful Camaro SS ever. Each engine is available with a six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic transmission. (Photo by Jeffrey Sauger for Chevrolet)

An all-new, driver-focused interior in the 2016 Chevrolet Camaro features performance-optimized ergonomics, including new seats, a new, flat-bottom steering wheel and a new center console designed for easier manual-transmission shifting.

An all-new, driver-focused interior in the 2016 Chevrolet Camaro features performance-optimized ergonomics, including new seats, a new, flat-bottom steering wheel and a new center console designed for easier manual-transmission shifting.

The 2016 Chevrolet Camaro was introduced May 16, 2015, at a special event in Detroit. The all-new muscle car is approximately 200 pounds lighter than the current model and offers more powerful V-6 and V-8 engines.

The 2016 Chevrolet Camaro is unveiled Saturday, May 16, 2015 at its world debut on Belle Isle in Detroit, Michigan. The sixth-generation Camaro is faster, lighter and more nimble. Engine options include a 2.0L Turbo, an all-new 3.6L V-6 and the LT1 6.2L V-8, which is SAE-certified at 455 horsepower and 455 lb-ft of torque – for the most powerful Camaro SS ever. Each engine is available with a six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic transmission. (Photo by John F. Martin for Chevrolet)

The 2016 Chevrolet Camaro is unveiled Saturday, May 16, 2015 at its world debut on Belle Isle in Detroit, Michigan. The sixth-generation Camaro is faster, lighter and more nimble. Engine options include a 2.0L Turbo, an all-new 3.6L V-6 and the LT1 6.2L V-8, which is SAE-certified at 455 horsepower and 455 lb-ft of torque – for the most powerful Camaro SS ever. Each engine is available with a six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic transmission. (Photo by Jeffrey Sauger for Chevrolet)

General Motors Executive Vice President Global Product Development Mark Reuss introduces the 2016 Chevrolet Camaro at its world debut Saturday, May 16, 2015 on Belle Isle in Detroit, Michigan. The sixth-generation Camaro is faster, lighter and more nimble. Engine options include a 2.0L Turbo, an all-new 3.6L V-6 and the LT1 6.2L V-8, which is SAE-certified at 455 horsepower and 455 lb-ft of torque – for the most powerful Camaro SS ever. Each engine is available with a six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic transmission. (Photo by John F. Martin for Chevrolet)

The 2016 Chevrolet Camaro SS features an aerodynamically optimized design, with hood vents that channel air that passes through the grille and radiator out and over the top of the car, reducing front-end lift.

Chevrolet introduced the all-new 2016 Camaro on May 16, 2015. For the first time in the car’s history, it is offered with a turbocharged engine – a new 2.0L turbo producing an estimated 270 horsepower and delivering an estimated 30 mpg highway.

The 2016 Camaro SS was introduced on May 16, 2015. It’s the most powerful Camaro SS in the car’s history, with a new 6.2L LT1 V-8 engine producing an estimated 440 horsepower and 450 lb-ft of torque. It is offered with an all-new eight-speed automatic transmission, as well as a six-speed manual.

After trying to pursue a career in product design, Jonathan Lee decided to make the sideways jump into the world of car journalism instead. He therefore appreciates the aesthetic appeal of a car, but for him, the driving experience is still second to none.

The 5 gen Camaro remained the most faithful modern interpretation of the 1st gen (specifically 1969 model) in terms of body shape and style.

And GM was able to nail the styling details nicely by incorp modern bits into a retro looking body. Interior layout and dash built quality wasn’t too good but they served the job, and the dual hood instrument cluster paid great homage to the 1969 model.

Of cos, some equipment (or the lack of it) were laughable. No dual zone climate control in a 430hp, US$40000 sports car, no factory GPS option when a lowly Chevy Sonic gets it.

The upcoming 2016 Camaro fixes all these shortcoming, but GM screwed up the exterior unfortunately. I see an urgent facelift in the works for 2017

There’s no denying that the 6th gen Camaro is a sharp looking car. The angular DRLs look much better integrated into the overall design of the car versus the throwback ring-shaped DRLs of the 5th gen. The effect is increased aggression in the front fascia, which is always a good thing for these kinds of cars. Anyway, the headlights have not been the most defining feature of the Camaro. It’s definitely the arrowhead-shaped front-end.

I’ve a feeling the designers are out to evolutionize the Camaro rather than make a throwback for fans of the first-gen. The Mustang as well, aside from a few styling elements that reminisce some of the previous-gen Mustangs, looks nothing like the first gen car. It’s very much more modernized in design, just like how this Camaro is.

The most retro muscle car of the lot would still be the Dodge Challenger. Not sure how well that’s working out for them, seeing as how the Mustang is still top dog and the Camaro second-fiddle.

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